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UNCW builds big CAA golf lead behind Woodfox, McLeod

Published: Saturday, April 27, 2013 at 5:02 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, April 27, 2013 at 5:02 p.m.

ST. JAMES | Frustration filled Josh Woodfox's first two seasons at UNCW. The affable golfer from Frankfurt, Germany, rarely made the Seahawks' traveling squad as he learned how to harness ridiculous power off the tee and manage his ball around the course.

Facts

CAA Men's Golf

Given an opportunity this spring, Woodfox showed newfound maturity and toughness. His talent and potential came through in flashes, although nobody could've predicted the round he unleashed Saturday on the Reserve at St. James.

Sparked by a pitch-in from 20 yards on No. 5, Woodfox fired a personal-best 67 in the second round of the CAA Men's Golf Championship. Teammate Payne McLeod birdied the final three holes to also shoot 67 and the Seahawks grabbed hold of the tournament with a 5-under 283 that built a 15-shot lead over James Madison.

“Coach has definitely had a lot of talks with me over the first two years that he sensed me letting down when it didn't go my way,” Woodfox said after a six-birdie, one-bogey tour of the 7,069-yard layout. “Now, when I hit a bad shot, immediately I know how to adjust it. I've got a lot more trust in my ability and don't freak out when I hit errant shots.”

The round tied McLeod for the tournament low and bettered Woodfox's previous best by three shots. The pitch-in on No. 5 followed a poor iron shot from 150 yards out in the middle of the fairway.

“I couldn't be happier for the kid,” UNCW coach Matt Clark said. “He understands that yes I can hit it 350 if I want to, but 310 in play is a little bit easier. He doesn't hit driver every hole now. He's understanding golf a little bit better. 67 is pretty special.”

Collectively, the Seahawks reversed a sloppy finish that created a two-shot deficit after the first round. The four counting golfers were 5-under on the last five holes and UNCW looks like a safe bet to claim its third consecutive CAA title and fifth overall.

“Yesterday, we came out tense,” Woodfox said. “Sometimes being the favorite you can put yourself under a lot of pressure. We all got our nerves out of the way and left them on the course. We cleared up our mind and came out today a little bit more relaxed, knowing there was a sense of urgency.”

McLeod stayed steady with accurate tee shots and a deft touch. He rebounded from a rare miscue with his driver leading to bogey on 15, by nearly acing the par 3, No. 16. Then he two-putted from 50 feet for birdie on 17 and his 20-footer on 18 toppled in on its last turn, earning applause from friends, family and teammates standing around the green.

His 67 matched a career low, set in October at a tournament in Tennessee. On Sunday, he intends to mind his own business as he attempts to become the fifth UNCW golfer to win the CAA title.

“It's not about what the field is doing, it's about what it is the best I can shoot on that particular day,” McLeod said.” I've just got to grind it out, make those short par putts again and see what happens.”

<p>ST. JAMES | Frustration filled Josh Woodfox's first two seasons at <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic71"><b>UNCW</b></a>. The affable golfer from Frankfurt, Germany, rarely made the Seahawks' traveling squad as he learned how to harness ridiculous power off the tee and manage his ball around the course.</p><p>Given an opportunity this spring, Woodfox showed newfound maturity and toughness. His talent and potential came through in flashes, although nobody could've predicted the round he unleashed Saturday on the Reserve at St. James.</p><p>Sparked by a pitch-in from 20 yards on No. 5, Woodfox fired a personal-best 67 in the second round of the CAA Men's Golf Championship. Teammate Payne McLeod birdied the final three holes to also shoot 67 and the Seahawks grabbed hold of the tournament with a 5-under 283 that built a 15-shot lead over James Madison.</p><p>“Coach has definitely had a lot of talks with me over the first two years that he sensed me letting down when it didn't go my way,” Woodfox said after a six-birdie, one-bogey tour of the 7,069-yard layout. “Now, when I hit a bad shot, immediately I know how to adjust it. I've got a lot more trust in my ability and don't freak out when I hit errant shots.”</p><p>The round tied McLeod for the tournament low and bettered Woodfox's previous best by three shots. The pitch-in on No. 5 followed a poor iron shot from 150 yards out in the middle of the fairway.</p><p>“I couldn't be happier for the kid,” UNCW coach Matt Clark said. “He understands that yes I can hit it 350 if I want to, but 310 in play is a little bit easier. He doesn't hit driver every hole now. He's understanding golf a little bit better. 67 is pretty special.”</p><p>Collectively, the Seahawks reversed a sloppy finish that created a two-shot deficit after the first round. The four counting golfers were 5-under on the last five holes and UNCW looks like a safe bet to claim its third consecutive CAA title and fifth overall.</p><p>“Yesterday, we came out tense,” Woodfox said. “Sometimes being the favorite you can put yourself under a lot of pressure. We all got our nerves out of the way and left them on the course. We cleared up our mind and came out today a little bit more relaxed, knowing there was a sense of urgency.”</p><p>McLeod stayed steady with accurate tee shots and a deft touch. He rebounded from a rare miscue with his driver leading to bogey on 15, by nearly acing the par 3, No. 16. Then he two-putted from 50 feet for birdie on 17 and his 20-footer on 18 toppled in on its last turn, earning applause from friends, family and teammates standing around the green.</p><p>His 67 matched a career low, set in October at a tournament in Tennessee. On Sunday, he intends to mind his own business as he attempts to become the fifth UNCW golfer to win the CAA title.</p><p>“It's not about what the field is doing, it's about what it is the best I can shoot on that particular day,” McLeod said.” I've just got to grind it out, make those short par putts again and see what happens.”</p><p><i></p><p><a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic94"><b>Brian Mull</b></a>: 343-2034</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @BGMull</i></p>